10 Steps to the Perfect At-Home Manicure

Whether you're trying to save money or simply too busy to make an extra stop at the salon, there's a lot to love about an at-homemanicure. Follow these 10 easy steps to ensure salon-quality results without a second set of hands.

Step 2: Clip, file and buff your nails.

Clip nails first, if necessary. Then file (in one direction) to get your tips square, round or somewhere in between. Buff tops and sides of nails lightly with a nail buffer (not your emery board) to create a smooth surface.

Step 5: Moisturize your hands.

Moisturize now to avoid smudging almost-dry nail polish later. Take the opportunity to give yourself a mini hand massage—just because you're not at the spa doesn't mean you can't relax! To finish, swipe each nail with nail polish remover.

Step 7: Apply the first coat of color nail polish.

Now for the fun part! Apply a coat of your newest hue, being sure to get the brush all the way down to the cuticle and into the corners of the nail. Maximum coverage on the first coat makes the second coat a breeze.

Step 10: Clean up rough edges and let your nails dry.

Clean up any mistakes or wobbly edges by wrapping a piece of cotton ball soaked in nail polish remover around the end of your cuticle pen and carefully going over edges. If you're using nail polish remover pads, simply fold one into a triangle for more precise application. Let nails dry an additional five minutes. And—voilà—perfect nails…at home!